Southern Highlands Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Chief Inspector Daniel Yangen is preparing the province for Monday’s polling with awareness campaigns, random road blocks and checks and even a clean-up of the provincial capital of Mendi.
Mr Yangen said the security forces are ready and prepared. He said the Quick Response Force (QRF) on the ground comprises Police Mobile Squad and PNG Defence Force (PNGDF) personnels as well as local policemen and policewomen.
“We are waiting for the roll-over teams to arrive from Enga Province to boost our manpower strength,” Mr Yangen said.
The PPC said he has completed briefing and scheduled the polling contingent and inserted his field commanders into the five electorates in the province. He said his field commanders are Police Station Commanders (PSCs) and Section Officers in Charge (OICs) who will work with the roll-over teams in providing security for the polling.
“We know the number of polling areas to be covered in each electorate so we will insert the security personnel into these polling areas. We are doing random roadblocks and making awareness to ensure no drunkards and disturbances occur during polling and into the counting and declaration periods,” Mr Yangen said.
Mr Yangen said all the candidates in the province are cooperating well with him and have promised that such incidents in the 2017 election would not be repeated in the 2022 National General Election. He said the candidates have promised to take ownership and control their supporters and the public.
Mr Yangen reassured the people of Southern Highlands and Papua New Guinea that this election would be a successful one and would be free, fair, safe and corruption free.